eleven years and use it everyday except in January and February.
Never get tired of it.
The ambiance cannot be beaten.
Six, seven years out pumps and filters start to wear out. Make sure you get the latest energy efficient model pumps.

__________________
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it"...Mark Twain

I do not own a pool, but do own a hot tub. I am still using every day to every 3rd day, my wife has almost stopped using it. I have seen neighbors buy one, use for maybe 6 months, and its gone. I have also noticed some pools seem to never be used.
My point is this is a very personal issue, I am sure you will get replies on both sides of your question. We decided early on that we did not want the expense of a pool, but a large hot tub was a nice option, and if we stop using it we do not have a big hole in the ground to fill in....

Just and additional note: we turn off the heaters on the hot tub during the summer, and use it to cool off as suggested above. The other advantage to the hot tube approach, this is on our lanai, we can use when it is raining, we can use it during the heat of the day as it is shaded.....

__________________
Pennsylvania, for 60+ years, most recently, Allentown, now TV.

I have had a pool for the last 15 years, and though I rarely use it, I like to look at it. It takes the place of living on a lake.

I've had a pool at my house in Tampa for 40 years. I've had to re-tile it and change out the marcite for diamond bright. I've had to completely change out the sand filter once and the pool pump twice......... and I've seldom set foot in it.

Years ago we had a few pool parties, mostly for the grandchildren.

I currently have plans to heat the pool and put in a lift so I can use it for physical therapy since my spine surgery.

There are two personal pools on the very short block where I stay in The Villages. I have NEVER seen anyone using them.

In spite of all of the expense and inconvenience, I have to agree with starflyte1. It is very soothing to sit on my pool deck (screened enclosure for the pool - which I've also replaced twice) while watching the birds coming to the feeders in my back yard, and just relax.

It can also be very pretty at night to turn on the underwater light in the pool and watch the reflections of the ripples in the water.

We have had a pool in a previous home when our children were growing up and loved it. Once they "left the nest" we did not use it very much. Here in The Villages with a pool .2 tenths of a mile from our home and we do not have to maintain it is a much better solution. We also love to meet people and we meet lots of people at the pool and talk for sometimes hours with them. We have met some in the pool and went out to dinner with them that night. Many friendships can be born by enjoying the pool with others. I laugh at the people that say they would not use the neighborhood pools. To each his own!

One of our must haves when we built our home was a pool. We put in a fairly large one, 16x32'. We have lived here almost 3 years and We use the pool daily,,7-8 months out of the year. It is solar heated. The months we can't swim we sit by it and read or just relax. I would never have a house without a pool. Just love walking out our back doors and jumping in!

We have had our pool three years and will never be without one....It changed our home into a resort .....Get the largest you can afford and an even larger birdcage......You'll love it .....
Lloyd Bridges Fumar

__________________
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be, Also
my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.